Vinod Kambli's Former Teammates: 'He Never Cared About Money, Nor Did He...'

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-06-30 17:16:37 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-11 11:21:17

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Indian batting legend Vinod Kambli has always been remembered as the aggressive batting partner of Sachin Tendulkar on the Indian pitch during the 1990s. After Kambli's dramatic rise and fall as a cricket star, it was shocking for many when he announced his retirement, leaving his fans wondering what could have been.

Recently, the former cricketer spoke to Arnab Goswami in his show 'Arnab ka Dil' on Republic Bharat, speaking openly about his career, family life and his infamous partnership with Tendulkar. Kambli's former teammates have now opened up about his meteoric rise and dramatic fall, particularly his inability to handle money.

"He never cared about money when he had it, nor did he worry about it when he didn't," former Yorkshire captain Tim Robinson told espncricinfo. "He was a bit of a handful, but a really nice guy. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He was always smiling, always upbeat. He had so much natural talent."

Robinson, who played with Kambli at Yorkshire after the Indian's eye-catching debut in 1992, recalled how the 25-year-old looked destined for the top during his maiden first-class appearance.

"He scored a hundred and a fifty in his first game," Robinson added. "He was classed as a professional, but we used to laugh because he didn't seem to have a care in the world. He was always confident - perhaps too confident. He never seemed to worry about anything. He just went out there and played."

However, Robinson and the rest of Kambli's teammates were not wary of the financial troubles that may have been lurking behind his cheerful exterior.

"Someone like Vinod, you would have to make sure that he was OK," he said. "You would have to look after him, basically. It was a shame things turned out the way they did because he was a top bloke - one of the nicest people you'll ever meet."

Today, Kambli is employed with the Mumbai Police and continues to be in the limelight due to his controversial statements and simplistic lifestyle.

Despite his struggles with finances, his former teammates remember him as a "top bloke" and "one of the nicest people you'll ever meet."

Perhaps these reflections are a reminder that success in cricket, or any field, is not just about talent and confidence, but also about knowing how to handle the highs and lows that come with it.

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